Max Mirnyi Bio

Full name is Maxim Nilolaevich Mirnyi

Nicknamed “The Beast” by former ATP pro Alex Reichel for his size and fearless play

Began playing tennis at age six with his father, Nikolai, who sent his son from Belarus to Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1991 before moving to Bradenton, Fla. in March 1992 to train at IMG-Bollettieri Tennis Academy

Also spends part of year in his native Minsk

Speaks two languages (Russian, English) and is trying to speak French and Spanish whenever possible

Plays guitar and likes to listen to national Russian music

In 2004, recorded four songs

Considers aggression as best part of his game

Brother, Peter (born Aug. 1, 1985), who enjoys basketball, is 6’7” and has a size 15 shoe, biggest in family

Step-brother, Timothy (born Sept. 28, 2000)

Coached by father, Nikolai, who was on the Russian national junior volleyball team in mid-1960s

Mother, Tatiana, was a competitive swimmer

A member of Belarus Davis Cup team since 1994 and has a 47-27 career record (24-18 in singles) in 35 ties since 1994

Has most match wins overall and most ties played in country’s Davis Cup history

In November 2001, received highest State Honorary Title for his achievements in sports by Belarus president A. Lukashenko

In November 2002, named UN AIDS Ambassador for Belarus

In September 2003, his father released a book entitled, “Mirnyi Tennis,” which means “Peaceful Tennis” in Russian, detailing Max’s life and tennis stories throughout his career

In May 2004, was voted to a four-year term as vice-president of Belarus Tennis Federation

In February 2004, after an epic Davis Cup win over Russia, Belarus president awarded him with highest government title “Orden Otechestva”